Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

Blockin' out the scenery

Breakin' my mind.

Do this.

Don't do that.

Can't you read the sign?

Totally jealous of this mural. I imagine her as my new best friend. We talk a lot, mostly about the weather. I spend way too much time alone.

Make new friends, keep the old, silver… gold … mm-la-la-la words and stuff. Everyone’s favorite Randy Space Hobo Arealius dropped in while I was working on my signage.

Speaking of signs, I finally got around to hanging my Necessity Shipping Sign. It’s fancy and animated. Got the same as a hologram inside.

Regulations, I hung out all of the requisite signs inside the warehouse.

I got a new neighbor, named Buck. Haven’t met him yet, soon. Cy has. Schedules.

A new life awaits you in the Off-World colonies.

A new life awaits you in the Off-World colonies.

The chance to begin again in a golden land of opportunity and adventure.

New climate, recreational facilities.

Use your new friend as a personal body servant or a tireless field hand -- the custom tailored genetically engineered humanoid replicant designed especially for your needs.

I am totally not falling for that…again.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Three times? That takes some serious professionals. Momma and Nanna Oyl didn’t raise that big of a fool.

Nope nope, Persephone is close enough for me to the border and fringe (rim).

No reavers, no insane failed malevolent artificial intelligences.

Ironically, during my previous time here, the biggest hazard was me. I was transporting a herd of cattle and they got loose and wandered around the tarmac. Oy, the cleanup bill.

Good times.

Years of the best therapy money can buy, quality meds, quite a few spa weekends, followed by a cathartic bonfire where I burned my childhood copies of Pinocchio and the Velveteen Rabbit and my Talking Tiny Dolly, and I am good as ever.

Opened up shop officially, Dock Master Don (not his rapper name) hooked me up with a choice location for a small warehouse overlooking the water. I moved in some ship sundries, you know Liquified Air, CO2 Scrubber, Oxygen, Fusionable Fuel Cells, etc.

 

Hung out the sign, very cool.

 

Weirdliness follows me around. I have been posting about WHODAT for years. Creepy or weird looking people who I find loitering around my officers or warehouse or ship.

 

This one is named Cyrus. If you look closely you may have noticed him lurking in one of the other photo's.

 

Cyrus works for me now. He has some peculiar ideas about couture and personal grooming, but he did technically wear a tie to the office. Better than some interns I’ve had. He has a winning smile.

It’s possible he escaped from Blue Sun or Umbrella. Look, they literally wander in here on their own off the street, I didn’t do nuthin’.

It’s also possible that he rang the bells over at the Abbey. He kind of cowers when he hears them. I will have to ask Brother Cadfael.

 

Cy’s not too bright and lacks certain social graces, but he knows how to make a decent cup of coffee. I don’t think he’s ready to learn about Bloody Mary’s yet, we will have to work up to it. He is really not much of a fighter. More of a lover than a fighter. He is unlucky at love, and he doesn’t know any card games. So nothing left. He’s large and stands near the front door, like those pensioner greeters at Buy 'N Large. Buy 'N Large, the Frozen Yoghurt, Discount Men’s Suits turned mega-conglomerate. Cy does heavy lifting for me, makes coffee, sweeps and mops. I buy lunch for him, which is considerable, and I give him some pocket money. Hard to find good help in this economy.

All that being settled, a long day of making a nuisance and a busy body out of myself. Maybe even get some work done. 

I took a little nap on Blue Sun’s Sofa, it is really nice. Not my fault if they hide the coffee. Xiu-Xie was a no show….again. I almost got a complete set of Blue Sun Cargo, you’re going to have to meet with me sooner or later

 

Swung by the dockage where Mercy’s frigate was parked. Showing off new product.

 

Went up to Smuggler’s Moon, which is a really nice open tarmac and cargo warehouse area. I like open spaces.

 

Looky here, a GENUINE McLaren Mule. It’s a class joint. It takes me back. No, Jai, no, shake it off.

I almost rented in Ziggy Station. I used to know a bank robber by that name. Since I’m here, might as well get some actual work done.

 Got the ship fired up and went on a mining pickup run.

 

Got to wear my fancy EVA suit.

 

Clueless Bastiches didn’t have money to pay me, so I got some of their cargo. Seriously, who does that?

 Oooh, a fancy Flux Capacitor. It is used for … well … I don’t really know, but what I do know is that it’s worth like real money, that’s what matters. Gotta focus on the important and the real. What’s real important is I got an exit market for this doodad.

And some Energon, also known as Archebyte, which is used for programmable matter and nanobots and quantum things and stuff… you know, things worth like real money, that’s what matters.

 

AND THE MYSTERY CONTAINER. Seriously, I dunno. Sighs, gotta call Serendipity. Yipe, it moved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Splorin' the 'Hood

Splorin' the 'Hood.

Still exploring the new 'hood. Although I was a resident here when I first graduated from University, that was 13 years ago. A lot has change, a lot has stayed the same.

Unsurprisingly megacorporations Weyland-Yutani, Umbrella Laboratories, and Blue Sun have a local presence.

 My distant cousin (by marriage) Moira works for Weyland-Yutani, it's good to see her more often and get practiced up on speaking French.

Trish's husband, Mister Tevya, works for Weyland-Yutani has been around. He was formerly a consigliere (an advisor and fixer) for the Zenobian Moores, but I am told he mostly works as an engineer. He mostly worked with Zeno, I don't know what he actually did for Zenobia. I know more of his work with Professor Serendipity.

Exotic pets seems to be the latest fad among the elite and 'fabulous'.

Mercedes, acquisitions director for Umbrella Labs, has been around. Originally from Avalon, a moon of Zenobia, she married into one of the Persephone elite families. She has a new pet named Dickford, it is somewhat unsettling.

Mercy is going to be insanely jealous of Zenobia's hot new export "Square Pigs" It dramatically increases the number of swine we can ship in a container. (Better picture to come soon)

Xiu-Xie Zhangsun has two lizardly pets. I saw her down at the Hotlanta Blue Club.

I really enjoyed Hotlanta Blues, featuring DoctorJon Harcourt, Zophar Dragocar, Bildad Greybeard, and Brother Jameson. They take requests, but I don't know a lot of blues, so I had to do a cortex search for ideas. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Northfarthing/35/204/603

Not to sound suspicious, but why is Madame Xiu-Xie meeting with famed reality show star Gorget Barbe Le Corsair, Neckbeard the Pirate?

Not all playtime, I had to get some serious work done. I went up the ship repair station to get a new micro-gravity toilet installed in my light-bulk transport. I am economical, I don't do the flip and burn, using up a whole lotta fuel to just have 1G or 1/3rd G, now was I willing to spring for artificial gravity. 

For the coasting part of the very practical burn and coast, I needed to install micro-gravity toilets. 

Standard Micro-Gravity Toilet.

PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED TO READ INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE

Depending on requirements, System A and/or System B can be used, details of which are clearly marked in the toilet compartment.

When operating System A, depress lever and a plastic dalkron eliminator will be dispensed through the slot immediately underneath. When you have fastened the adhesive lip, attach connection marked by the large "X" outlet hose. Twist the silver coloured ring one inch below the connection point until you feel it lock.

The toilet is now ready for use.

The Sonovac cleanser is activated by the small switch on the lip. When securing, twist the ring back to its initial-condition, so that the two orange line meet. Disconnect. Place the dalkron eliminator in the vacuum receptacle to the rear. Activate by pressing the blue button.

The controls for System B are located on the opposite wall. The red release switch places the uroliminator into position; it can be adjusted manually up or down by pressing the blue manual release button. The opening is self adjusting. To secure after use, press the green button which simultaneously activates the evaporator and returns the uroliminator to its storage position.

You may leave the lavatory if the green exit light is on over the door. If the red light is illuminated, one of the lavatory facilities is not properly secured. Press the "Attendant" call button on the right of the door. The Attendant will secure all facilities from her control panel outside. When green exit light goes on you may open the door and leave. Please close the door behind you.

To use the Sonoshower, first undress and place all your clothes in the clothes rack. Put on the velcro slippers located in the cabinet immediately below. Enter the shower. On the control panel to your upper right upon entering you will see a "Shower seal" button. Press to activate. A green light will then be illuminated immediately below. On the intensity knob select the desired setting. Now depress the Sonovac activation lever. Bathe normally.

The Sonovac will automatically go off after three minutes unless you activate the "Manual off" over-ride switch by flipping it up. When you are ready to leave, press the blue "Shower seal" release button. The door will open and you may leave. Please remove the velcro slippers and place them in their container.

If the red light above this panel is on, the toilet is in use. When the green light is illuminated you may enter. However, you must carefully follow all instructions when using the facilities during coasting (Zero G) flight. Inside there are three facilities: (1) the Sonowasher, (2) the Sonoshower, (3) the toilet. All three are designed to be used under weightless conditions. Please observe the sequence of operations for each individual facility.

Two modes for Sonowashing your face and hands are available, the "moist-towel" mode and the "Sonovac" ultrasonic cleaner mode. You may select either mode by moving the appropriate lever to the "Activate" position.

If you choose the "moist-towel" mode, depress the indicated yellow button and withdraw item. When you have finished, discard the towel in the vacuum dispenser, holding the indicated lever in the "active" position until the green light goes on...showing that the rollers have passed the towel completely into the dispenser. If you desire an additional towel, press the yellow button and repeat the cycle.

If you prefer the "Sonovac" ultrasonic cleaning mode, press the indicated blue button. When the twin panels open, pull forward by rings A & B. For cleaning the hands, use in this position. Set the timer to positions 10, 20, 30 or 40...indicative of the number of seconds required. The knob to the left, just below the blue light, has three settings, low, medium or high. For normal use, the medium setting is suggested.

After these settings have been made, you can activate the device by switching to the "ON" position the clearly marked red switch. If during the washing operation, you wish to change the settings, place the "manual off" over-ride switch in the "OFF" position. you may now make the change and repeat the cycle.

That's a lot of reading BEFORE I get to use the loo. 

Settling into Southdown

Southdown is still what it has always been. The Southdown Abbey is a quiet peaceful contemplative place. I ran into Sister Manda there. Apparently she is still a member of the nicomedian sisterhood and somehow is able to reconcile that with working for the UAP Special Projects. She says she is doing some work with Dr. Aristides, who is also in the neighborhood doing something or other, no doubt doctorly. I ran into her as she was getting supplies for her mobile medlab.

Major Muircastle is in the 'hood. He is not sporting his UAP uniform these days, wearing some peacekeeper threads, which are pretty slick. He still is managing the RAC (Reclamation something something). They think they are all secrety and stuff, but I know they got a safehouse nearby in North Farthing. I pay good money for good intel.

Trish was around earlier in the week, reading cards at the blues club. "So I never have to dance on a pole ever again." She is always so wise.

It takes some getting used to hauling cargo again. Little details, like don’t leave a 5 ton drum of Special High Intensity Terraforma (S.H.I.T.) to heat up in the midday sun.

It’s not all sitting around waiting for the comms….although there is a bit of that.

There’s also standing around comparing designer spacesuits.

There’s a bit of wonder who these strange people out wandering the streets some night. Loitering right in front of my warehouse. WHODAT!?

Been awhile, moving forward

Been gone awhile. Burned my copies of The Velveteen Rabbit and Pinocchio, dusted myself on, had a good cry, then it was time to move on. Most people assume I just wile away the hour on the computer, wasting my life away

Or binge watching signal-tube and binge eating sushi and other take out on my incredible chilltastic couch.

The truth is simpler, and equally unglamorous. I returned to Zenobia and started a family. I already had the husbandly man, so decided to complete the set. I suspect there is something similar to Stockholm Syndrome that causes women to be wistfully romantic about their recollections about pregnancy and childbirth. Don’t listen to ‘em, it’s a nightmare. Love the kid, but never again. NEVER! They had to put me in a medically induced coma and cut the kid out of me. Goodbye bathing suit season. In the meantime, during my barefoot and pregnant manserving babymaking-bot domestic fantasy cosplay at-home incarceration, I checked in with some childhood pals, like my friend Dorothy.

I considered "I’ve seen some weird shit" as the title of my autobiography, but no publishers were interested. Good thing I include pictures, amiright? Like any good upwardly mobile ambitious plebian family, as soon as the kid was old enough, we packed her off to boarding school. She’ll be fine. I turned out okay. I mean, who doesn't need therapy? A boarding school enabled empty-nester, I returned to where I started my career, Persephone. Specifically, Southdown Docks. Unlike the first time I was here, when I got my lightbulk Firefly out of the shop, I had the money to pay the bill. I am progressing in life.

Don, the local harbor master, hooked me up with a good warehouse space with good access where to park my boat.

It is right near a sushi joint, I considered it a good sign.

Trade Resumes

Trade has resumed to normalish levels since the pox plague crisis has passed. In order to expand trade further, the Consolidated Associated Traders of Zenobia (C.A.T.Z.) is jobbing out to independent traders. DaveDorm Gaffer, Seren Undercroft, Svetlana Pleiades, Stacy Leakey, Cody Winterwolf and Ziggy London have stepped up so far. We have been working with Dave, Svet, Tillery and Albert on setup for some time.

Araxes to Dragon's Egg Moon to Washtown to Colchester to Zenobia to Paquin and back seems to be a popular route. We are trying to get trade missions going to Botany Bay, Necronom IV, Deshima Station and Talmont. I am going to have to ask around about Strega, Blackburne Smuggler's Den and Moonshel. We have a current limited consignment from some trade with Cargo Express and am negotiating with Umbrella Corporation for a consignment to expand medical trade

I was checking the settings on the embassy guesthouse autoshuttle when I saw Seren Undercroft who rents one of the landing pads nearby. I waved her up and showed her some of the inventory we have available for consignment.

I originally thought Seren Undercroft was from 34 Tauri, then I thought she was from Deshima Station, then I found (when I asked her) that she was from some place called the seven sun. We discussed where that was, but I don't remember. I really need to keep better notes.

I showed Seren some of the very fine products from the Dharma Initiative and the Alferd Packer Meat Packing Company of Packard, Albion. Zenobia produces some very fine livestock, clover fed beef and fodder crop hogs, etc, but most of what I have in inventory was spacer and prison provisioning.


Tripe, Haggis, Headcheese, MRMs, Chum, Fish Heads. Synthetic Protein Artificially Manufactured (S.P.A.M., crueltly free meat substitute), not to be confused with the 13 varieties of real meat Spam (Shoulder Pork And Meat), Smeat (Spreadable Meat, convenient and fun) and Soylent Green. Ultimate Beef is their biggest export, only a lifetime of force feeding and the best growth-hormones and steroids can make.

Seren was expecting to be heading to Dragon's Egg Moon, so I didn't expect her to take any Blue Sun products. But who can refuse the fruity oaty goodness of fruity oaty bars? I try to explain to people the practical aspects of hibernation and cryogenic labor transport, Gruntsicles. But for some reason, no one seems excited about the opportunity.


Shortly thereafter, Seren got elected to the Beit Dawla Council in Al Raqis. I see her every week now. Willard Deerhunter and Dave Gaffer were also elected, I am used to seeing them often. Willard works at the Clan Misrim trading post in the Deep Desert and Dave Gaffer runs Vulture Shipping. I see them both regularly. I didn't have much dealings with Arnold Gustav before his election to the Beit Dawla, he and Sisko were the only military types who won seats in the election. Captain Sisko Aries of the STC (Starfleet Torchwood Command) has not yet taken the oath of office and his term is a third over. Trade types dominate the current council.


Meanwhile, back in Zenobia, Svetlana Pleides arrives with a phosphorus that she got in trade in Caliban. She is anxious to get to Dragon's Egg and then to Paquin, a circuitous route. Svet travels with her first mate and her children in their very comfortably appointed ship.


Svet is still trying to figure out what to trade for to get the maximum return for her trade.


I took Svet up to the C.A.T.Z. Longbow Frigate that we keep moored for orbital loading and unloading. I showed her the new reconditioned mule for moving cargo and some of the lifesupport cargo among other things.


I ran across Ziggy London recently. I don't know where he has been all these months, hopefully not prison. He bought me this great new clipboard.


Bug hunting in Araxes has been brisk, I have almost 100 tons of the critter carcasses boxed up for export. I consigned out 15 boxes to Ziggy.


That and some Mudder's Milk, regular and chocolate flavored. Protein and vitamins and 15% alcohol. Mm-mm gross. Big mover along with Fruity Oaty Bars, people can't say no.


We have four master bug hunters so far in Araxes. Those are folks who have collected all 20 meat beetles, both landlobsters and 12 steak spiders. Saygar, Ito, Stacy and Ferris. Ferris is a kid and did it with just a slingshot. But shouldn't he be in school?





We traded them each 8 literpaks of the highly coveted Literpaks with specially processed micro-cluster Dihydrogen oxide specially manufactured with some somnoluminesence process to make it more effective for the desert. Or so the literature says although the legal disclaimers says that they cannot claim that.

I try to clue traders in that there is good radionuclide ores in Dragon's Egg Moon. I direct them to Natirra for medical supplies and Miya Wingtips for colony supplies and then to Cody to trade for the ore mined in the colony.


Luckily, they are nice enough to crate them with protective shielding.

Sources of Thorium, Uranium and Duranium (depleted uranium). Very few fission reactors in this day and age. But Fission Fired Fusion Reactors are simpler than a lot of fancy engines. Fission salt rockets are used in deep space missions. The simplest engines ever, even a plumber can fix them.

The UAP has had a modest military presence in Araxes for years, a very low profile. A barracks, a few missions, some meetings, some negotiations. But recently they made an installation, the Watchtower overlooking the Al Raqis Highport.


They had threats in the area, the Guild Navigator who was involved in theft of Zenobian antiquities, the criminal Commander Faith and his father, the AR_Pharma debacle, the negotiations for the release of Zeno and Calina.


A lot of indies come to Araxes. Lori Schulman is from Araxes but grew up in 34 Tau, joined the independents in the last part of the war. She has a small village in the area. A known hangout for smugglers.


It is difficult to maneuver a full sized Firefly into the village, but with some luck and determination I was able to get it done. I spoke with the Sheika of Azaadi for a while. I think she views me as Alliance and did not want to talk about trade, saying none was done in the area.


Of course, earlier I found the village stash. No worries.


Zeno went to Azaadi along with some friends. She had hired someone for Kaden Security but they have frequent scheduling conflicts.